Recent research into plants formerly included in Bauhinia (see Wunderlin, R.P. 2010. Reorganization of the Cercideae (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae). Phytoneuron 2010-48: 1-5.) has reorganized the species of Bauhinia into 9 genera. Although not universally accepted as yet (2011), we are following this new treatment because it has been taken up by several authorities including GRIN, Flora of North America[] and African Flowering Plants[].
This species is very closely related to P. Reticulatum, and possibly hybridizes with it where their ranges overlap[].

Common Name:

General Information

Piliostigma thonningii is a deciduous or evergreen shrub or tree with a rounded crown; it can grow 3 - 15 metres tall. The short bole is often crooked[, , ].
A multipurpose tree, gathered from the wild and providing food, medicines and a range of commodities for the local population. The tree has potential for use as a pioneer species.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - widespread from Sierra Leone to Ethiopia and Kenya, south to Angola, Botswana, northern S. Africa, Swaziland.

Habitat

Woodland, wooded grassland and bushland, at elevations from sea level to 1,830 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the semi-arid to moist tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,850 metres. It is found in areas where the mean annual temperature can be around 20°c, and the mean annual rainfall is in the range 600 - 1,500mm[, ].
Succeeds on a variety of soils[]. Likes a rich, alluvial soil[]. Heavy clayey soils or medium loamy soils are preferred[].
The tree usually yields heavy crops of seedpods[].
The plant has deep roots and can sucker freely[, ]. It also responds well to coppicing and pollarding[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The pulp surrounding the seed is eaten, it has a sweet flavour and is eaten mainly by children and travellers[]. The brown pod is cracked open, the seeds removed, and the pulp eaten as a snack or as emergency food[]. It is normally only eaten in small amounts[]. The fruits are collected in large quantities during famine periods. They are then pounded and the powder soaked in water, the liquid stirred and drunk[].
The flat, brown, woody pods are 15 - 20cm long. They persist on the tree but eventually decay on the ground to free the pea-sized seeds[].

Tender young leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. Chewed to relieve thirst[]. The leaves are very occasionally eaten as a cooked vegetable[]. The leaves are sometimes cooked in water, then the water is used for cooking millet[].

Medicinal

Tender leaves are chewed and the juice swallowed to treat stomach-ache, coughs and snakebite[].
The ash obtained from burnt leaves is rubbed into snakebite wounds after scarification in order to hasten healing[].
The leaves are combined with those of mpandanjobvu and the liquid used to relieve the inflammation from sore eyes[].

The roots are used to treat prolonged menstruation, haemorrhage and miscarriage in women and also for the treatment of coughs, colds, body pain and STDs[].
An infusion of the root, combined with the root of the wild cow pea (Vigna sp.), is said to be a contraceptive[]. It is drunk for seven consecutive days during which time no intercourse is allowed[].

An infusion of the bark is used to treat coughs, colds, chest pains and snakebite[].
An infusion of the bark is used for the cure of an infection of the gums called ciseye[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A pioneer species within its native area, where it tends to colonize clearings and fallows[]. Since it is a legume, and fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it might be a useful species to use when restoring woodland or setting up a woodland garden[].
A deep rooting species that produces considerable amounts of leaf litter, it can be used in soil protection initiatives. The use of the leaf litter as a mulch enhances soil fertility because the leaves decompose slowly[].
The tree competes very little with maize if left in fields and pollarded to reduce shade[].

Other Uses

A fibre from the inner bark is used to make string, ropes and cloth[, , , ].

A red-brown dye can be obtained from the macerated bark[, ].
A blue dye can be obtained from the seeds and pods[, ].
A black dye is obtained from the roasted seed[].

The bark contains up to 18% tannins[, ].
The roots are a source of tannins[].

The inner bark is said to contain a gum that sweels in water and so can be used for caulking boats etc[, ].

The unripe seedpods are used as a soap substitute[, ].
The ashes of the plant are used for making soap[, ].

The seeds contain oil[]. No more information is given[].

The heartwood is pinkish to dark brown; the sapwood is light brown. The wood is straight-grained. It is used for poles, grain mortars, tool handles, spoons and bedsteads[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
Suckers[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: 10 times itself is?